2021 · Q5
What is the effect of pressure of a human body on sand?
General KnowledgePhysics
- ALarger while standing than while lying
- BSmaller while standing than while lying
- CSame while standing or lying
- DLarger while standing during the daytime and smaller during the night time while lying
Explanation
Pressure equals force divided by contact area (P = F/A), with the force here being the body's weight. While standing, the whole weight rests on the small area of the feet, whereas lying spreads the same weight over the much larger area of the body. The smaller contact area while standing therefore produces the larger pressure on the sand. Time of day has no bearing on this static mechanics.